In his remarks, Kennedy emphasized the seriousness of the issue: "The Chinese are getting richer while our children are getting sick, and we are going to put an end to that," he stated, demonstrating a firm stance against the vaping industry.

Coordinated Nationwide Operations

Between August 1 and 14, the Department of Health, in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), conducted purchases of vape products from distributors in five different states: Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Arizona. Additional operations were later carried out in California and Florida. During these actions, the ATF visited 14 different retailers while the Department of Health inspected five distributors. The primary goal of these operations was to identify the largest distributors and establish patterns of mass distribution of potentially dangerous products.

The results of these inspections were significant: 50 trucks loaded with vape products were confiscated, approximately 90% of which originated from China. According to Kennedy, these actions aim not only to remove products that endanger children from the market but also to send a clear message to the industry: the sale of harmful vape products will not be tolerated in the United States. "There's a new sheriff in town, and her name is Pam Bondi, and we are going after these Chinese vape products to prevent them from poisoning our children," the Secretary added, referring to coordination with the former Florida Attorney General, currently overseeing the operation.

An Expanding Public Health Concern

Growing concern about the effects of vape products on youth health has raised alarms nationwide. Recent studies show that the use of these products, especially imported ones without proper regulation, is linked to an increase in respiratory problems, nicotine poisoning, and other adverse effects. Kennedy emphasized that "this is not just a matter of illegal commerce, it's a public health issue. We cannot allow low-quality, potentially toxic products to continue harming our youth."

The Secretary also highlighted the need for constant and coordinated industry oversight. Collaboration between the Department of Health, the FDA, and the ATF has enabled the identification of both distributors and retailers introducing these dangerous products into the U.S. market. "These operations are not isolated acts but part of a sustained effort to protect children from exposure to harmful substances and prevent foreign companies from prioritizing profits over American lives," Kennedy noted.